For More on SI

Supplemental Instruction

What is SI?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of peer-facilitated group review
sessions designed to help students succeed in historically difficult courses.
Undergraduate or graduate students who have already successfully completed the
course are recommended by departmental faculty and selected to serve as SI
leaders at these review sessions.

Although SI Leaders (SILs) have already successfully completed the courses
they support, they attend class and do readings, homework assignments, etc.,
again along with the currently enrolled students so they are prepared to
facilitate group sessions out of class. By attending class they also make
themselves readily available as a resource to the students and can update the
class about schedule changes, etc. Typically an SIL will hold two to three SI
sessions per week for each supported course.

How SI Works

In the SI session, the SIL helps the current students as they review lecture
notes, discuss textbook reading assignments and review for tests. By integrating how to learn with what to learn, students develop skills for
becoming more successful, independent learners in all classes. Within the group
they strengthen collaborative learning skills, build community, network with
other students, develop good study habits, and master content.

SI typically targets high risk courses, not at-risk students, by basing the selection
of courses to be supported on historically high D/F/W rates and/or student / faculty interest in academic support. Participation in SI
is voluntary for students and is wholly unconnected to course grading
procedures.

A recent study at UNCW bears out the international data. UNCW students who
participate in SI regularly earn between a half grade and a full grade higher
than students who do not attend SI. Additionally, students who participate in SI
withdraw far less frequently than students who don't, by a ratio of 19:1.

How SI Started

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a non-remedial academic assistance program
developed at the University of Kansas City – Missouri that utilizes
peer-facilitated study sessions as the means of student support. SI has been
recognized since 1981 by the US Department of Education as an Exemplary
Educational Program – a designation rarely granted to postsecondary programs.
Since its initial development at UMKC, SI has expanded into 33 states, the
District of Columbia, and thirteen other countries.

How Can I Get SI For My Class?

Are you an instructor here at UNCW and interested in SI Support for your course? Please send an email to Tom Kunz, Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction (kunzt@uncw.edu). We have a number of options available in an effort to pilot new courses. Please send any relevant course information along with the name(s) of potential students you would like for us to consider hiring as SI Leaders.

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